Combined High Schools (NSWCHS)

NSW CHS rugby league teams named

by
dailytelegraph
10/08/2023

Tahilia O'Brien from Southern U16 schoolgirls makes a break (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

NSW CHS rugby league teams named

Author : Amanda Lulham News Corp Sports

NSW CHS rugby league teams named

NSW CHS rugby league teams named for 15s boys, 16s girls Australian secondary schools titles
Fast, unbelievable passing, tough.

After days of trials the best young footy players in the NSW CHS system have been identified for the Australian secondary schools rugby league championships.

Stars and standouts of the CHS rugby league trials. (Photo’s : Steve Montgomery)

After three days of trials the best young footy players in the NSW CHS system have been identified ahead of the Australian secondary schools rugby league championship and the coaches are impressed with the “incredible’’ standard of the teenagers.

Boys coach Adam Blake said he has ended up with a strong mix of speed, athleticism and skill in his squad named for the September championships.

“It’s a good mix,’’Blake said of his squad.

“We have a bit of size, speed and some kids who play in multiple positions which is what we wanted.

“There is also probably the largest contingent from western which is great as well.’’

Sydney Gold fullback CJ Udeh dives in for a great solo try at the trials. Picture: Steve Montgomery

Blake said Westfield Sports young gun Siotame Havea was one of the standouts of the trials.

“He was the player of the series,’’ Bake said.

“He was really strong across the three games, very hard to tackle, good with the offload and a lock. Lock is a position we had quite a bit of strength in this year.’’

Blake said other players who stood out at the championship included Lachlan Metcalfe and CJ Udeh.

“Lachlan is from Hills Sports and just calm, a good organiser and has a good kicking game,’’ he said.

“CJ is from Westfields and good on his feet and quick and hard to tackle. He’s a bit electric.

“And I though the guy from Western Ravai Tuleva, a backrower from Orange High, was great. He ran a good line and had a good offload.’’

2023 NSWCHS u15 Schoolboys Team (in alphebetical order)

Billy Toms – Warners Bay High School
Braith Sloan – Condoblin High School
Callum Elsey – Kurri Kurri High School
Chip Valentish – Newcastle High School
CJ Udeh – Westfields Sports High School
Hayden Bell – Westfields Sports High School
Jamie Curren Endeavour Sports High School
Jhovan Lele – Westfields Sports High School
Kemp Riches – Cowra High School
Khaled Kairouz – Westfields Sports High School
Lachlan Metcalf – The Hills Sports High School
Liam Challenor – Endeavour Sports High School
Logan Longbottom – Endeavour Sports High School
Mason Andrews – Kiama High School
Mikal Papalii-Talanai – Sir Joseph Banks High School
Noah McNamara – Rutherford High School
Ravai Tuleva – Orange High School
Siotame Havea – – Westfields Sports High School
Talmage Brown – Westfields Sports High School
Triston Ross – Condoblin High School

Coach : Mr. Adam Blake

Manager : Mr. Glenn Mallon – Erina High School
Trianer : Mr. Brett Kelly – Illawarra Sports High School

Tahilia O’Brien from Southern U16 schoolgirls makes a break. Photo : Steve Montgomery

Bass Hill High’s Jon Wilson said he is delighted his charges will be part of history as the 16s girls prepare to make their debut at the famous rugby league event at Port Macquarie in September and with the talent named on Wednesday in his squad.

“To be honest there’s not that much difference between them and the boys. The boys are faster but some of their hits are bigger than the boys,’’ Wilson said.

Wilson said standouts at the trials who have made the squad for the upcoming Australian titles include players from across multiple schools and regions with Ellie Brander named player of the championship.

“She’s from Hunter Sports High and is just so tough. She ran good lines and consistently tackled,’’ Wilson said.

2023 NSWCHS u16 Schoolgirls (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

The 2023 NSWCHS 16s girls rugby league team. Picture: Steve Montgomery

“Tia Matthews from The Hills Sports High is a lock and very energetic and runs the ball everywhere and Trinity Tauaneai from Bass Hill High, her sister (Alexis Tauaneai) plays NRLW with St George, is outstanding. She is just tough, skilful and takes it forward and dominates the middle.

“There were a few girls from last year who stood out like Olivia Vaalele from Hills Sports, Tahlia O’Brien from Fig Tree High and Koffi (Brookfield), the No. 9 from Kiama High.

“Anastasia Leutupue from Hills Sports is just 14 and outstanding. She just bought the ball back quick and plays on wings and in the centres.

Mr. Tim Wykes with Ellie Brander NSWCHS u16 Schoolgirl Player of the Trials (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

Ellie Brander Hunter Sports High School with Mr Tim Wykes, NSW CHS Rugby league convener (Photo : Steve Montgomery)

“Waiaria Ellis is from Castle Hill High and her passing game is unbelievable. She’s also got good footwork and reads the game well.

“And Ava Jones from Castle Hill High is also good.’’

The Australian secondary schools rugby league championships for 15 year boys and 16 year girls will be played at Port Macquarie from September 23-29.

“It’s the first time the girls are playing and it’s very exciting. It’s about time,’’ Wilson said.

The NSW CHS 16s girls will play against NSW CCC, NSW Independents and WA in their pool at the championships.

The other pool contains Queensland, Victoria, the ACT and Northern Territory.

2023 NSWCHS u15 Schoolgirls Team (in alphebetical order)

Ellie Brander – Hunter Sports High School
Koffi Brookfield – Kiama High School
Lacey Cross – Northern Beaches Secondary College-Makallar
Waiaria Ellis – Castle Hill High School
Lauren Flip – Hunter Sports High School
Khyliah Gray – Northern Beaches Secondary College-Makallar
Ella Greatz – Warilla High School
Ava Knowles – Castle Hill High School
Anastasia Leutupue – The Hills Sports High School
Meleseini Makaui – Bankstown Girls High School
Tia Matthews – The Hills Sports High School
Manua Moleka – The Hills Sports High School
Tahlia O’Brien – Figtree High School
Brandy Sompson – Hunter Sports High School
Paige Tauaneai – Bass High School
Trinity Tauaeai – Bass High School
Alainne Toia – Rouse Hill High School
Naioka Tuiiplotu – The Hills Sports High School
Olivia Vaalele – The Hills Sports High School

Coach : Mr. Jon Wilson Bass High School

Manager : Mr. Scott Sablowski – Bomaderry High School
Trianer : Mr. Adam Sargent-Wilson – Figtree High School

EARLIER: Coach Adam Blake is looking for players with a particular skills set at selection trials this week for the NSW CHS 15s team he will take to the Australian secondary schools championships in September.

Blake, in his third year of coaching the 15s, said he is working to build a squad of players with a particular strength ahead of the national championships to be played at Port Macquarie.

YOUTH GAMES: Stars, medallists, results

Western halfback Callum Miskell unloads on day one of the NSWCHS 15s schoolboys state trials at Collegians Sports Ground. Picture: Steve Montgomery

“The kind of team I’m aiming for is one that is versatile,” said Blake, from Albion Park High School.

“It’s the third year I’ve done this and I know you go away and loose a few players to injury and it makes it hard.

“I’m looking for people who can play multiple positions but are also tough and resilient.

“If you make the final it’s four games in a week so by the time they get to the final, if they don’t have the ability to bounce back, they struggle.”

Blake said CHS’s loss to NSW CIS in the 15s age division a year ago still stings.

“Last years we made the final and were beaten by NSW CIS,” he said.

“We were up and they scored in the last minute and a half, kicking a goal to win it. It was tough to take.”

A year earlier a mini tournament was played by NSW teams in the wake of Covid.

“We had a tri series with NSW CIS, CHS and CCC and we beat CIS but lost to CCC,” he said.

Blake said playing at the selection trials and the Australian championships is a massive opportunity for the rising stars of rugby league.

“People watch these kids,” he said.

“There’s someone from every club here at the trials.”

The likes of Junior Paulo, Jake Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Zac Lomax, and David Klemmer came through the NSW CHS system.

The Australian secondary schools rugby league championships for 15 year boys and 16 year girls will be played at Port Macquarie from September 23-29.

The girls competition is being played for the first time with the under 18 girls competing at the Australian secondary schools championship in Queensland for the first time in July.